1021: The founders and the aim of impeachment from the 18th century. @josephsternberg, @WSJOpinion
Image: The so-called "Togatus Barberini", a statue depicting a Roman senator holding the imagines (effigies) of deceased ancestors in his hands; marble, late 1st century BC; head (not belonging): mid 1st century BC. Joseph Sternberg: @josephsternberg, @WSJOpinion; Political Economics column; WSJ editorial board; in re: Heavy firepower in Washington and even New York’s Grand Central Terminal in anticipation of the inauguration. The pending impeachment trial: McConnell is one of the few having a strong sense of he institutions, has put the Constitution front and center. This wasn’t a normal mob, and Trump didn’t speak normally—was trying to stir up the populace. Concern lest the Executive use force to harass or intimidate the legislature; founding fathers were keenly aware of the 1640s in England. Will a trial create more problems than it will solve? They want to prevent Trump from ever running for the presidency again; disenfranchise him. A good argument to that kind of gesture. The Democrats did not help their case throughout the four years. Important institutional concern here: Congress protecting itself. https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-legislative-powers-are-left-for-impeachment-to-defend-11610647230